Chair Structure

ABSTRACT

A chair structure includes a seat unit having a support leg assembly and a seat; a connecting unit having two linking members and movably connected at one linking member to the seat; a backrest unit movably connected to another linking member of the connecting unit and having a supporting member; and at least two armrests movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat and the backrest units. Each of the armrests has a first and a second movable arm, which are pivotally connected at one end to each other, and at the other end to one lateral side of the seat and the backrest unit, respectively. A stop member is connected to at least one of the two armrests. The chair with movably connected seat unit, connecting unit, backrest unit, and armrests can be converted into a lounge providing a curved configuration in compliance with human body&#39;s back curve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chair structure, and moreparticularly to a chair structure which can be converted from a chairinto a lounge having a curved configuration in compliance with humanbody's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering, so thata user can comfortably lie on the lounge on his back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a conventional chair includes a seat, a backrest movablyconnected to a rear edge of the seat, and four legs perpendicularlyconnected to a lower side of the seat. A user can sit on the seat withhis or her back leaning on the backrest. The backrest can be adjusted inan inclination angle thereof to convert the chair into a lounge for theuser to lean thereon.

While the conventional chair allows a user to sit thereon or convert itinto a lounge for leaning, the backrest can usually be adjusted to behalf inclined relative to the seat because the backrest is directlymovably connected to the rear edge of the seat. Moreover, in theconventional chair, the backrest and the seat are not formed with acurved configuration in compliance with human body's back curve to meetthe requirements of body engineering, and there would be a gap existedbetween the backrest and the seat. Therefore, even if the backrest ofthe conventional chair can be angularly adjusted to a fully horizontalposition relative to the seat to convert the chair into a lounge, thefully stretched seat and backrest could not provide a curve meeting therequirements of body engineering to comfortably support the waist of auser lying on the lounge. The user may have a sore waist after lying onthe lounge over a long time. Therefore, the conventional chair is notcomfortable in practical use thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a chairstructure, which includes movably connected parts and can be convertedinto a lounge having a curved configuration in compliance with humanbody's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering, allowinga user to comfortably lie on the lounge.

To achieve the above and other objects, the chair structure according tothe present invention includes a seat unit having a support leg assemblyand a seat; a connecting unit having at least two linking members andmovably connected at one linking member to the seat; a backrest unitmovably connected to another linking member of the connecting unit andhaving a supporting member provided to a rear upper side thereof; and atleast two armrests movably connected to two lateral sides of the seatunit and the backrest unit. Each of the armrests has a first and asecond movable arm, which are pivotally connected at one end to eachother, and at the other end to one lateral side of the seat and thebackrest unit, respectively. A stop member is connected to the pivotaljoint of the first and second movable arms of at least one of the twoarmrests.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a chair structure according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the chair structure according to the firstembodiment of the present invention being used as a chair;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the chair structure according to the firstembodiment of the present invention being converted into a lounge foruse;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lounge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a chair structure according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an assembled view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bed converted from the chair structureof FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a chair structure according toa third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of a chair structure accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 that are exploded and assembledperspective views, respectively, of a chair structure according to afirst embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the chair structurein the first embodiment of the present invention includes a seat unit 1,a connecting unit 2, a backrest unit 3, and at least two armrests 4.

The seat unit 1 includes a support leg assembly 11 and a seat 12connected to a top of the support leg assembly 11. The seat 12 of theseat unit 1 can be a one-piece padded seat.

The connecting unit 2 is movably connected to the seat unit 1, andincludes at least a first linking member 21 and a second linking member22. The first linking member 21 and the second linking member 22 aremovably connected at a first end to each other via two pivot shafts 221.The first linking member 21 is movably connected at a second to a rearedge of the seat 12 via two pivot shafts 211. The first and the secondlinking member 21, 22 can be two transversely extended long platesdefining a curved upper face 212 and a curved upper face 222,respectively. When the chair structure is set in a state for sitting,the connecting unit 2 is in a folded state and a receiving space 23 isdefined between the first and the second linking member 21, 22. Two stopcover plates 24 can be removably connected to two lateral sides of thefirst and second linking members 21, 22 when the connecting unit 2 is inthe folded state.

The backrest unit 3 is movably connected at a lower edge to a second endof the second linking member 22 via two pivot shafts 31, and is providedat a rear upper side with supporting members 33. The backrest unit 3 canbe a one-piece padded backrest.

The armrests 4 are movably connected to two lateral sides of the seatunit 1 and the backrest unit 3. Each of the armrests 4 includes a firstmovable arm 41 and a second movable arm 42. The first and second movablearm 41, 42 are pivotally connected at a first end to each other, with asecond end of the first movable arm 41 movably connected to one lateralside of the seat 12 via a pivot shaft 411 and a second end of the secondmovable arm 42 movably connected to one lateral side of the backrestunit 3 via a pivot shaft 421. At least one of the armrests 4 includes astop member 43, which is connected to the pivotal joint of the first andthe second movable arms 41, 42.

Please now refer to FIGS. 3 and 4 that are two side views showing thechair structure according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention being set to a chair and a lounge, respectively, for use; andto FIG. 5 that is an assembled perspective view of the lounge of FIG. 4.When the present invention is used as a chair, a user can directly siton the seat 12 of the seat unit 1 with the user's back and two armsrested on the backrest unit 3 and the armrests 4, respectively. And, atthis point, the first and the second linking member 21, 22 of theconnecting unit 2 are in a folded state to define the receiving space 23between them. The user can put a thin quilt or some clothes (not shown)in the receiving space 23 and then connect the stop cover plates 24 totwo lateral sides of the first and second linking members 21, 22.

Please also refer to FIG. 2. When it is desired to convert the chairinto a lounge for use, the user can loosen the stop member 43 from thearmrest 4, allowing the first and the second movable arms 41, 42 to moverelative to one another; and then apply a pushing force against thebackrest unit 3 for the same to move toward the ground in a directionaway from the seat unit 1, until the supporting members 33 on thebackrest unit 3 touch the ground to support the backrest unit 3 abovethe ground. When the backrest unit 3 is moved toward the ground, itbrings the first and second linking members 21, 22 of the connectingunit 2 and the first and second movable arms 41, 42 of the armrests 4 toan extended state, and the chair is converted into a lounge. When thefirst and second linking members 21, 22 of the connecting unit 2, whichis located between the seat unit 1 and the backrest unit 3, are moved toa fully extended position, the curved upper faces 212, 222 of the firstand second linking members 21, 22 cooperate with the seat unit 1 and thebackrest unit 3 to provide a curved configuration in compliance with ahuman body's back curve, allowing the user to comfortably lie on thelounge with the user's waist and hip fitly resting on the curved upperfaces 212, 222 of the linking members 21, 22. Therefore, the loungeconverted from the chair structure of the present invention satisfiesthe requirements of body engineering.

In the illustrated first embodiment of the present invention, the stopmember 43 is used to restrict the seat unit 1, the connecting unit 2,the backrest unit 3, and the armrests 4 from moving relative to oneanother. However, the stop member 43 can be replaced by the stop coverplates 24. That is, the stop cover plates 24 not only close two lateralends of the receiving space 23, but also restrict the seat unit 1, theconnecting unit 2, the backrest unit 3, and the armrests 4 from movingrelative to one another. When the user desires to convert the chairstructure into a lounge, the user needs only to remove the stop coverplates 24 from the first and second linking members 21, 22, and the seatunit 1, the connecting unit 2, the backrest unit 3, and the armrests 4can be then moved to convert the chair structure into a lounge.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded and assembled perspective views,respectively, of a chair structure according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bedconverted from the chair structure of the second embodiment. The secondembodiment is generally structurally and functionally similar to thefirst embodiment, except that the second embodiment includeswidth-increased seat unit 1 a, connecting unit 2 a, and backrest unit 3a. A support leg assembly 11 a is movably connected to two lateral sidesof a seat 12 a of the seat unit 1 a via two pivot shafts 111 a. Asupporting member 33 a is pivotally connected to a rear side of thebackrest unit 3 a via a pivot section 32 a provided on the rear side ofthe backrest unit 3 a. In the illustrated second embodiment, thesupporting member 33 a is a substantially U-shaped tubular member. Withthe above arrangements, the chair structure in the second embodiment canbe usually used as a sofa as shown in FIG. 7, and can also be extendedand converted into a bed as shown in FIG. 8. When the chair structure ofthe second embodiment is converted into a bed, the backrest unit 3 a issupported by the supporting member 33 a to locate above the ground. Asin the first embodiment, the bed converted from the chair structure ofthe second embodiment provides a curved configuration in compliance witha human body's back curve to meet the requirements of body engineering,allowing a user to comfortably lie thereon.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are exploded and assembled perspective views,respectively, of a chair structure according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention. The third embodiment is generally structurallyand functionally similar to the first and the second embodiment, exceptthat the third embodiment includes a seat unit 1 b having a seat frame121b and a support leg assembly 11 connected to a bottom of the seatframe 121 b; a connecting unit 2 b including a first linking member 21 band a second linking member 22 b, each of which includes two slightlycurved linking bars; a backrest unit 3 b including a back frame 34 b;and an envelope 5 covering the seat frame 121 b, the back frame 34 b,and the first and second linking members 21 b, 22 b. Again, the linkingmembers 21 b, 22 b in a folded state together with the envelope 5 definea receiving space between them. With the seat frame 121 b and the backframe 34 b covered by the envelope 5, the chair structure according tothe third embodiment of the present invention provides good ventilatingeffect and can be manufactured at reduced cost. The chair structure ofthe third embodiment can also be converted into a lounge as the firstembodiment.

Please now refer to FIG. 11, which is a perspective view of a chairstructure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Thefourth embodiment is generally structurally and functionally similar tothe previous embodiments, except that it includes two seat units 1, 1 brespectively having a seat 12, 12 b, which are connected to a top of awidened support leg assembly 11 b and arranged side by side; and twobackrest units 3, 3 b movably connected to the two seat units 1, 1 b viatwo connecting units 2, 2 b. The two backrest units 3, 3 b can besimultaneously pushed backward to convert the chair structure into twolounges, or can be differently operated to convert the chair structureinto a chair and a lounge, or a double bed.

The chair structure of the present invention effectively eliminates thedrawbacks in the conventional chair structure, and has movably connectedseat unit, connecting unit, armrests, and backrest unit to allowconversion of a chair into a lounge or a bed having a curvedconfiguration meeting the requirements of body engineering and suitablefor a user to comfortably lie thereon on the user's back. Therefore, thepresent invention is improved, novel, and more practical for use.

The present invention has been described with some preferred embodimentsthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in thedescribed embodiments can be carried out without departing from thescope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limitedonly by the appended claims.

1. A chair structure, comprising: a seat unit including a support legassembly and a seat connected to the support leg assembly; a connectingunit including at least a first linking member and a second linkingmember, the first and the second linking member being pivotallyconnected at a first end to each other, and the first linking memberbeing movably connected at an opposite second end to a rear edge of theseat; a backrest unit being movably connected at a lower edge to anopposite second end of the second linking member; and at least twoarmrests movably connected to two lateral sides of the seat unit and ofthe backrest unit; each of the armrests having a first movable arm and asecond movable arm, which are pivotally connected at respective firstend to each other, and movably connected at respective second end to onelateral side of the seat and the backrest unit, respectively; and atleast one of the two armrests having a stop member connected thereto. 2.The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support legassembly of the seat unit is connected to a bottom of the seat, and thesupport leg assembly of the seat unit is movably connected to twolateral sides of the seat via pivot shafts.
 3. The chair structure asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the seat of the seat unit and the backrestunit are one-piece padded seat and backrest, respectively.
 4. The chairstructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second linkingmembers are two transversely extended long plates defining a curvedupper face each, and a receiving space is defined between the first andthe second linking member when the connecting unit is in a folded state.5. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising twostop cover plates being removably connected to two lateral sides of thefirst and second linking members when the connecting unit is in a foldedstate.
 6. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein thebackrest unit is movably provided on a rear upper side with at least onesupporting member.
 7. The chair structure as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising an envelope, and wherein the seat of the seat unit is a seatframe, the backrest unit is a back frame, and the first and the secondlinking member of the connecting unit each include two substantiallycurved linking bars; the envelope being covered on the seat frame, theback frame, and the first and second linking members; and the connectingunit in a folded state together with the envelope defining a receivingspace between the first and second linking member and the envelope. 8.The chair structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the backrest unit isprovided at a rear side with at least one pivot section, to which the atleast one supporting member is pivotally connected.
 9. The chairstructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second movablearms as well as the first and second linking members are movablyconnected to the seat and the backrest unit, respectively, via pivotshafts; the first and the second linking members are pivotally connectedat respective first ends to each other via pivot shafts; and the firstand the second movable arms are pivotally connected at respective firstends to one another via pivot shaft.